Sawtooth Mountain Clinic’s Oral Health Task Force earns 2024 Minnesota Rural Health Team Award

On Nov. 21, National Rural Health Day, the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic’s Oral Health Task Force received the 2024 Minnesota Rural Health Team award.

The award, given by the Minnesota Department of Health and its partners, recognizes the contributions to improving health in rural areas of Minnesota. Sawtooth Mountain Clinic’s Oral Health Task Force received the award for its work in providing access to high-quality, patient-centered oral care to residents of Cook County and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

The Oral Health Task Force program began in 2008 with the North Shore Health Care Foundation, and in 2020, the program was moved to Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. The program provides early preventative care to individuals up to 26 years old, seniors 65 or older, and pregnant women. The program also offers financial assistance.

Bonnie Dalin, an oral health educator/dental hygienist, said the 2024 Minnesota Rural Health Team award is significant because the competition encompasses every aspect of health care, not just oral health. It is the second time Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Oral Health Task Force has received the award. The previous time was in 2017.

An award ceremony in Duluth will be held during the 2025 Minnesota Rural Health Conference on June 9-10, 2025.

WTIP’s Mark Abrahamson spoke with Bonnie Dalin about the 2024 Minnesota Rural Health Team award and the history of the Oral Health Task Force. The audio from the interview is below.

Kalli Hawkins December 3, 2024